Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

 

It should go without saying that if one has any possible means of traveling to a Church to attend the

liturgy for the feast, they should do so.  However, if it is not possible for one to do so, the following is

provided so that at least they can participate in the feast to the extent possible, under such

circumstances.

 

Beatitude Verses: Feast 4 from Ode 3, Canon 1; 4 from Ode 6, Canon 2

[Those following Byzantine practice can replace the usual antiphons, with the festal antiphons given in the

Festal Menaion, p195ff.]

 

1. Receiving the pure and undefiled one, who is more splendid than all creation, the animate bridal chamber of God, the beautiful Temple and chamber doth today appear as that which adorneth the bride for her wedding.

 

2. David, preceding the chorus, doth leap and dance with us, and declareth thee, O all-pure one, the queen adorned, who standeth in the Temple before our King and God, O most pure one.

 

3. From her, from whom transgressions went forth among the human race, hath her correction and incorruption blossomed forth, the Theotokos, who is led today into the house of God.

 

4.The angelic armies and a multitude of all men leap up for joy, and they advance as lamp-bearers before thy countenance, proclaiming thy majesty in the house of God.

 

5. O ye faithful, let us celebrate the spiritual feast of the Mother of God, chanting piously; for she is more holy than the heavenly intelligences.

 

6. With spiritual hymns let us praise the Mother of the Light, O ye faithful, for she hath appeared to us today, going forth into the temple of God.

 

7. O Father, Son and upright Spirit, Unity in three hypostases, indivisible Trinity: have mercy upon those who worship Thy divine might.

 

8. Contained in thy womb, O all-pure Mother of God, He Whom nought could contain issued forth from thee in two natures: God and man.

 

Troparion

 

Tone 4: Today is the prelude of God’s good will /

and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. /

In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, /

and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. /

To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: /

Rejoice, O thou fulfillment //

of the Creator’s dispensation.

 

The Epistle

 

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 3rd Tone:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Choir:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Reader:  For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Choir:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Reader: My soul doth magnify the Lord.

Choir:  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior

 

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews:

[Hebrews 9:1-7]

 

Reader: Alleluia in the 8th Tone.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Gospel [Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28]

 

Kontakion

 

Tone 4:  The most pure temple of the Savior, /

the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, /

the sacred treasury of the glory of God, /

is on this day brought into the house of the Lord, /

bringing with her the grace that is in the Divine Spirit. /

And the angels of God chant praise unto her: //

she is the heavenly tabernacle

 

Instead of “It is truly meet…” we chant the Irmos of the 9th Ode of the First Canon of

the feast, Fourth Tone:

 

            Refrain:  The angels beholding the entry of the most pure one were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

            Irmos:   Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, chanting unceasingly the words of the angel to the Theotokos, cry out with joy: Truly art thou high above all, O pure Virgin.

 

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